GoldenJubilee JubileeForForZimbabwe ZimbabweCatholic CatholicBishops’ Bishops’Conference: Conference Golden In 1988 Fr Randolph was briefly recalled out of retirement by the bishops to organise the papal visit of that year. Fr Berridge became education secretary in 1992 but quickly moved on to become secretary general; he was largely responsible for Africa Synod House, demolishing the old offices to make way for the new. He saw to fund-raising, advised on the plans, oversaw construction, and decorated the building with African art and artifacts. The new building, opened early in 1995, was named in honour of the first Synod of African Bishops, held in Rome the previous year, from 10 April to 8 May 1994. Fr Nyatsanza followed Fr Berridge and oversaw the indigenization of staff. But it is the present secretary general, Fr Chiromba who undoubtedly holds the record; so far he has clocked up fifteen years! Unassuming but highly competent and extremely efficient, he has become the ever-smiling, public face of ZCBC. . Mention should also be made of The Catholic Book Centre, on the ground floor of Synod House. This was set up shortly after the opening of the building by Fr Kyran Murphy SPS when he was Director/Secretary of the Pastoral Centre. Today, it is probably the most visible, and best known part of the secretariat. Africa Synod House today is home to the secretariats of some ten episcopal commissions and six other national Catholic organisations. These offices provide support and leadership for the work of the church in the diverse aspects of her mission. There is no doubt that ZCBC, now composed of eight diocesan and four retired bishops, and its secretariat have left far behind their humble beginnings and have come a long way since their formation fifty years ago. As we celebrate their Golden Jubilee let us pay tribute to all those devoted women and men, lay-people, religious and priests, who have worked in the Secretariat down the years and have helped to make ZCBC what it is today.Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlophe! Fr. Brian Enright SJ 17